Noteworthy records of an endemic shrew from Mexico (Mammalia, Soricomorpha, Cryptotis griseoventris), with comments on taxonomy

The species records are key to determine their distribution. In México, there are records located up to more 200 km outside the known range of Ateles geoffroyi, Cryptotis mayensis, Pteronotus davyi and Tlacuatzin sinaloae. Other species were captured in their type locality but have not been recorded again over up to 100 years: Dipodomys gravipes, Oryzomys peninsulae, Peromyscus mekisturus, P. pembertoni, Sorex sclateri, S. stizodon, Tylomys bullaris and T. tumbalensis. This study analyzes these mammalian species records, their information gaps related with their known range, and discusses the likely implications for conservation. A survey of the literature and databases of scientific collections available on the Internet were conducted. A geographic information system was used for the spatial analysis of the records obtained. Records outside the limit of the known range of these species are due to misidentification of specimens, accidental introduction and lack of field corroboration. Some of the species captured only in their type locality can be deemed extinct while others require field and laboratory work. Geographic records of the species are valuable inputs to define the distribution range of species and advance our current knowledge about the Mexican. The use of records with errors or that should no longer be considered have an impact on the risk categorization of species and the development of conservation strategies.

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 62%

The ghost mammals from Mexico and their implications

Monroy-Gamboa

2021

“…However, there are few records of its distribution, so its biology and ecology are little known. The records reported here were deemed unique and novel, as only sporadic records were known since the last confirmed one more than 50 years ago (Guevara et al 2014b). Besides, this species seemingly has a small distribution area (< 5,000 km 2 ), above 2,100 masl.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Besides, this species seemingly has a small distribution area (< 5,000 km 2 ), above 2,100 masl. in cloud forests and pine-oak forests in Los Altos de Chiapas, Mexico, and is probably endangered due to the deforestation of its habitat and climate change (Guevara et al 2014b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In search of shrews of Chiapas: analysis of their distribution and conservation

Lorenzo

Bolaños-Citalán

Navarrete-Gutiérrez

et al. 2019

Self Cite

The state of Chiapas is home to multiple species of shrews (11 species), endemisms (three species from Mexico) and micro-endemisms (5 species from Chiapas). These species inhabit diverse physiographic regions and different types of habitats across the state. However, several are known by only very few specimens, mostly collected several years ago, making the knowledge about their natural history extremely scarce. This paper describes the efforts made by the authors along 16 years in search of shrews of Chiapas. Records were obtained from fieldwork, as well as by historical records from scientific collections and public databases. We estimated the relative abundances per species, identifying in each case the area of distribution and association with different types of vegetation and land use, current threats, and future research scenario for conservation purposes. The total trapping effort was 12,340 trap-nights across 13 sampling sites, with a total capture success of 0.18 %. In nine sampling sites, we succeeded in capturing 22 specimens of six species of shrews: Cryptotis griseoventris, C. lacandonensis, C. merriami, C. mexicanus, C. pueblensis, and Sorex cristobalensis. C. griseoventris had the highest relative abundance (31.81 %) and capture success (0.056), while C. lacandonensis showed the lowest relative abundance (4.54 %) and capture success (0.008). We present noteworthy records of shrews: 1) for being barely represented in scientific collections, as in C. griseoventris, and 2) for expanding the previously documented distribution area, as in C. lacandonensis and C. merriami. All of the species currently face serious conservation issues resulting from the loss of habitat. In particular, microendemic species such as S. sclateri and S. stizodon are seriously threatened. The specimens and records reported herein should foster further detailed research on the taxonomy, ecology, and biogeography to advance the knowledge of shrews inhabiting the southern border of Mexico.El estado de Chiapas es rico en número de especies de musarañas (11 especies), endemismos (tres especies de México) y micro-endemismos (5 especies de Chiapas). Las especies habitan diversas regiones fisiográficas del estado y diferentes tipos de hábitat. Sin embargo, varias son conocidas por muy pocos ejemplares, la mayoría colectados desde hace varios años, por lo que el conocimiento sobre su historia natural es extremadamente escaso. Se dan a conocer los esfuerzos realizados por los autores a lo largo de 16 años en la búsqueda de las especies de musarañas de Chiapas. Se obtuvieron registros de muestreos de campo, así como registros históricos obtenidos de colecciones científicas y bases de datos públicas. Se estimaron las abundancias relativas por especie, identificaron su área de distribución y asociación a diferentes tipos de vegetación y uso de suelo, las amenazas que enfrentan y el panorama de investigaciones futuras para su conservación. El esfuerzo total de captura fue de 12,340 trampas/noche repartidos en 13 sitios de colecta, con un éx...

“…Rodents were monitored and recorded using 100 Sherman traps baited with oats and vanilla essence, and arranged in various linear transects covering a total area of six hectares; traps were separated from each other by 10 sites. The mammal species favored by this type of habitat in EBSJ include those with restricted and fragmented distribution due to extensive deforestation in other areas within their distribution range, such as C. griseoventris, a species with only 11 known individuals since it was first collected by F. L. Burnet in 1956 (Guevara et al 2014a), P. zarhynchus and R. microdon (IUCN 2017;Guevara et al 2014b;. The mammals listed in the risk category by NOM-059 require immediate actions for conservation, such as the development of a management program to preserve both the habitat and the species living in it, and the creation of a regional network for the elaboration of strategies aiming at the protection of their habitat.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological field stations and scientific knowledge: the case of mammals in forests of the Chiapas highlands, México

Aranda-Coello

Lorenzo

Bolaños-Citalán

et al. 2018

Self Cite

The San José Biological Station (SJBE) is the first temperate station in the Chiapas Highlands dedicated to preserve the last wildlife refuges in the area. Comprehensive studies in biological stations are a top priority to generate scientific knowledge, as well as to manage, maintain and conserve both the species and the ecological systems to which they belong. Field sampling was carried out in 2007,2010, 2015, and 2016 at SJBE. Rodents were captured with Sherman traps; shrews, with Pitfall traps; and bats, with mist nets. Medium-sized and large mammals were recorded by direct observation. The species recorded were listed by their common name in Spanish and Tzotzil. In addition, a bibliographic search was conducted and the databases of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and the Mammal Collection at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur were used. The conservation status of each species was identified based on the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Mexican Official Norm 059 (NOM-059) by SEMARNAT. The list of mammals recorded at SJBE includes 23 species in 8 orders and 13 families. Of the total number of species, two are endemic to Chiapas, Peromyscus zarhynchus and Cryptotis griseoventris. In the IUCN, Cryptotis griseoventris is listed as endangered (with few records for 62 years), and Peromyscus zarhynchus as vulnerable. In NOM-059, Reithrodontomys microdon is listed as threatened and P. zarhynchus as subject to special protection. Oak-pine forests at SJBE are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity in the region, offer resources and preserve the local native fauna. The creation of spaces for research on the biota is a key tool to understand the impacts and threats that currently affect forests in the Chiapas Highlands.La Estación Biológica San José (EBSJ) es la primera estación de clima templado en los Altos de Chiapas con un enfoque dedicado a la conservación de los últimos refugios de vida silvestre en la zona. Los estudios integrales en estaciones biológicas son de prioridad para generar conocimiento científico, así como manejar, mantener y conservar las especies y los sistemas ecológicos a los que pertenecen. Los muestreos en campo en la EBSJ se realizaron en 2007, 2010, 2015 y 2016. La captura de roedores se realizó con trampas Sherman, de musarañas con trampas Pitfall y de murciélagos con redes de niebla. Mediante observación directa se registraron mamíferos medianos y grandes. Las especies registradas fueron listadas por su nombre común en español y Tzotzil. Además, se realizó búsqueda bibliográfica y se utilizaron las bases de datos de Global Biodiversity Information Facility y la Colección Mastozoológica de El Colegio de la Frontera Sur. El estado de conservación de cada especie se identificó con base en la lista roja de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (IUCN) y la Norma Oficial Mexicana 059 (NOM-059) de la SEMARNAT. El listado de los mamíferos de la EBSJ contiene 23 especies comprendidas en 8 órdenes y 13 familias. Del t...